Successful treatment of osimertinib-resistant EGFR-mutant NSCLC with acquired BRAF V600E mutation using triple combination therapy: a case report with pathological confirmation

World J Surg Oncol. 2025 Oct 10;23(1):365. doi: 10.1186/s12957-025-04011-w.

Abstract

Background: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with EGFR mutations often develops resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), with acquired BRAF V600E mutation being a rare but clinically challenging mechanism. The efficacy of combined EGFR and BRAF/MEK inhibition in this setting is not sufficiently characterized.

Case presentation: A 56-year-old never-smoker with stage IVA EGFR exon 19del-mutant lung adenocarcinoma developed progressive disease on osimertinib, with a new BRAF V600E mutation detected via next-generation sequencing (NGS). She was treated with osimertinib (80 mg daily), dabrafenib (150 mg twice daily), and trametinib (2 mg daily), achieving: Radiological response: Regression of metastatic lesions (left lower lobe residual nodule) and stable disease in the primary lesion. Pathological confirmation: Post-surgical resection revealed only 1% residual tumor viability, indicating a major pathological response.

Tolerability: Only grade 1 rash (CTCAE v5.0) was observed. Durable control: Progression-free survival (PFS) of 11 months (last follow-up: May 2025).

Conclusion: Triple therapy with osimertinib, dabrafenib, and trametinib represents a viable and well-tolerated approach for EGFR-mutant NSCLC with acquired BRAFV600E resistance. Molecular profiling upon progression is essential to guide targeted therapy.

Keywords: EGFR/BRAF co-mutations; Case report; Dabrafenib and trametinib; Non-small cell lung cancer; Osimertinib resistance.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acrylamides / therapeutic use
  • Aniline Compounds / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols* / therapeutic use
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* / pathology
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm* / drug effects
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm* / genetics
  • ErbB Receptors / genetics
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Imidazoles / administration & dosage
  • Indoles
  • Lung Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Lung Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Lung Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Mutation
  • Oximes / administration & dosage
  • Prognosis
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf* / genetics
  • Pyridones / administration & dosage
  • Pyrimidines
  • Pyrimidinones / administration & dosage

Substances

  • osimertinib
  • Aniline Compounds
  • Acrylamides
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf
  • EGFR protein, human
  • ErbB Receptors
  • BRAF protein, human
  • trametinib
  • Oximes
  • dabrafenib
  • Pyrimidinones
  • Pyridones
  • Imidazoles
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Indoles
  • Pyrimidines